Evans Mill man sentenced after being found with drugs, weapon in car

An Evans Mills man was sentenced in Jefferson County Court to concurrent five-year prison terms Monday after being found with drugs and weapons in a May traffic stop.

Allen L. Ricks Jr., 25, Evans Mills, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. His sentence included five years of probation.

Mr. Ricks was initially accused of possessing more than an eighth of an ounce of cocaine during a May 16 traffic stop on Route 342, Pamelia. It also was alleged that a loaded 9 mm pistol was found in the car.

Michael L. Merrifield, 42, no fixed address, was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of second-degree attempted burglary, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and bribing a witness.

He was charged in a grand jury indictment in April with entering the Bronson Street residence of April L. and Shawn M. Secor and threatening Mrs. Secor with a knife Nov. 13, 2012, and later offering a benefit in exchange for her not testifying. Three orders of protection were filed during sentencing.

Samantha Keegan, 25, Watertown, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and a year of post-release supervision after violating her parole in September. Judge Kim H. Martusewicz ordered her to serve the sentence through the Willard Drug Rehabilitation Program, which allows inmates to serve the rest of sentences under parole supervision if the 90-day program is completed.

If an inmate completes the 90-day program, he or she serves the rest of the sentence under parole supervision.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.